On Sunday 14th April the two anti-mine protesters submitted depositions on in which they denied any part in the raid. They were refused bail and may spend up to 18 months in jail before going to trial. Not withstanding the several irregularities lawyers denounced in the process; the clear political and vindictive motivation of the state is also evident from the fact that the trials took place not in the judicial court rooms but in police headquarters. This is a clear violation oh human and legal rights. Lawyers of the accused condemn these practices and speak of an impartial hearing. It would not be the first time investors interests are higher priority for the government than the safe keeping of the law.
During the hearing which took place amid tight police security outside police HQ in the city of Thessaloniki over 3000 people that are opposed to the environmental disaster that will be caused by the gold mines were gathered in support and demanded the release of the wrongly accused. Further to the decision of arrest, yet another demo was called for solidarity to the arrested activists by the Open Coordinative of Thessaloniki against gold mines in the evening of 14 April.
See video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=i7PS0F0OMxM
